The Berbers

Al-Baladhuri reports from Abd Allah ibn Salih that the Berbers claimed to be the sons of Barr ibn Qays. He then denies this, saying that God did not give Qays a son called Barr. In his view they are of the tyrants whom David fought. Their dwellings were first in Palestine, in the course of time, and then they came to the Maghrib and multiplied there. ¹

Among them are the Lawata, the people of the covenant at Barqa (Barqa), and those excepted in the speech of Amr ibn al-As at Antablus. ²

In al-Baladhuri there is also a view that the Berbers were of the Amaliq. In it, Tubba', who is called Afriqis ibn Qays ibn Sayfi al-Himyari, invaded Ifriqiya, conquered it, and it was named after him. He heard the speech of these Amaliq and said, "How much barbarity there is in them", and so they were called the Berbers. The Sanhaja and the Kutama of Himyar stayed with them. ¹

These are conflicting accounts of lineage, and the data give no other view. A second source is needed.